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Williams Formula One comeback would be a popular one

If the Williams Formula One team is a force in 2014, many in the paddock will celebrate the return of an F1 great.

The Mercedes-powered team is one of the traditional powers in the sport with nine Constructors' Championships between 1980 and 1997. The team hopes to return to the role of contender and has been fast in the preseason as teams prepare for the F1 opener at Melbourne on March 16.

"Nobody has a bad word to say about Felipe or Williams," former team driver and current F1 analyst for BBC Sport David Coulthard told the Daily Mail. "It's great for Formula One. Massa is a very popular driver across the world, and [team founder and principal] Frank Williams has formed a popular team."

The newly F1-retired Mark Webber raced for Williams in 2005 and 2006. The Australian said he would be delighted if Williams' preseason form translated into racing success this season.

"It would be brilliant for them to be reliable and strong," Webber told the Telegraph. "It would be good, really good, for Frank and everyone, they've been through a tough time but they are a good team."

Some of F1's big hitters, notably Red Bull, are not happy that the regulations have changed so greatly.

Williams, however, is thrilled.

"Regulation changes of this magnitude often disrupt the order and create opportunities for teams to make a leap forward," Sir Frank Williams said on Thursday as the new Martini-livery was unveiled in London, according to La Presse.

But his daughter Claire Williams, the deputy team boss, is not expecting world champions Red Bull to be down for long.

"I would be gobsmacked if Red Bull did not [catch up]," she is quoted by the BBC. "We go to Australia in a good position, but we really have to take advantage of the first few races."